Where else have you changed?

[med12]

I know most of us are here for money reasons but I was wondering what other areas of your life have changed now that you are more money conscious?

For instance, I've found that I'm trying to be more organized so I know what I have in order to avoid duplicates. I also find that I make more healthy food choices and plan my meals better.

Anyone else?

[cschin4]

Alot of ways. I look for activities for myself and family that don't involve spending or alot of spending. So, we spend more time playing outdoors, going to the park, swimming, etc. I would rather do that than spend $50 at the movies for 5 tickets and popcorn. And, I find that I used to shop for recreation but really don't like shopping at all anymore. I have also been decluttering and organizing my home. Trying to find uses for things I already have. Knowing where everything is because I used to buy duplicates as well. And, getting rid of things that have no usefulness to me and passing them on to someone else. I recently gave away all my baby stuff to a friend. That included giving him a maple crib that I only used for my daughter and paid $200+ for it when I bought it. I also gave him all the other stuff from high chair, toddler bed, mattress, car seats, etc. I hate to sell things so I don't. I just chalk it up to passing things on and blessing someone else rather than worrying that I spent on those things and now am "losing money" by giving it away. Most of the stuff, I just want it out of my house so people are welcome to take what I no longer want.
I also tend to make better food choices as well. Cooking more at home rather than eating out. Carrying water to drink rather than buying pop etc. Being frugal is a lifestyle.
But, many would probably not consider me "frugal". I have a nice home and we bought 2 new cars last year. We have some nice stuff and take some vacations. So, I guess I am not "cheap" but I do think about the best uses of our money and by being smarter about it, that allows us to use it on the things we really like and enjoy.

[PrincessPerky]

I think some of the homeade food is healthier, than say chicken nuggets ....but I also think that having the finances under control frees up a lot of my mind to focus on education or health...plus other odd things.....though finances encouraged me to reduce the non water consumption..it happens to be a health benifit..

[Ima saver]

Until I joined this site, I had never read the grocery store or drug store ads. Now, I do to see what is on sale and also cut the coupons if any.

[pearlieq]

I find I watch my health better when I think of it as a frugal decision.

[PauletteGoddard]

I know most of us are here for money reasons but I was wondering what other areas of your life have changed now that you are more money conscious?

I eat more beans, and get more exercise. Actually my political activism has gone way up -- I don't want to be one of those seniors plagued with heart and lung disease, cancer and emphysema and having an income of $1357 a month and voting for someone who will cut my Medicaid benefits. I drink more water. I eat organic food. That may seem more expensive, but with a weekly pickup of community supported agriculture vegetables and fruits we're finding we eat less meat.

I'm more energy conscious. My home improvements have not been cosmetic: they've been infrastructural to cut down on energy costs. Improvements with a ROI of over 100%, or where the savings are recouped within seven years are top priority. We downsized to a one-car family, and are shifting to a telecommuting workstyle.

I'm into decluttering now, because my organization is so bad and all my family members are forgetful about placing items. We own books I may never make the time to read, CDs we've played maybe once or twice. I've been to friends' houses and see scads of DVDs, books, videotapes, records, CDs and other doodads and think about all the stuff we have and never use. It all needs to be set free. I'm participating in a yard sale this weekend. Let's hope enough buyers come to give good homes to my once-loved treasures.

There have been some negative changes. I felt "ripped off" at a local film festival because the staff told me there'd be a new print of a film I already had on DVD, and that it was the earlier version and not the later version which included the director's commentary and music score. So I take my family: they love it, but I'm miserable because I SPENT MONEY TO WATCH A FILM I ALREADY HAD ON DVD. What makes this extra neurotic is that it's one of the best films ever made. It took me twenty minutes to get into the film, so righteous was my indignation. My family has seen our DVD copy but they really liked seeing it on the big screen. All the film staff had to do was give the proper year of the film version so I could make an informed choice.

[Ima saver]

I am more aware of my energy useage. I read the meter every day!

[LuxLiving]

Targeting improving our NetWorth more actively and monitoring it more closely. Seeing that almost every decision - whether talking on the phone longer to my long-distance Mom to which direction I drive on the route to do my errands has some effect on the ol'bottom line. Trying not to get fanatical about it but somehow each decision is more focused and intentional.

Shoot == I like seeing NW going up every month because of even the smallest of our wiser saving/spending decisions having a positive affect!

Ima - meter reading - what does that do for you? Give an emotional boost? Make you make different choices the next day? Am honestly interested, I may have to run downstairs and read mine!! Do you set a goal to keep it down a certain number of points a day? Would love to hear your thinking on it!

[rob62521]

I would agree that I make other choices like eating more healthy as well as decluttering. Having been raised with parents who were raised during the depression and packrats, it was drilled that you keep everything in case there is another depression. It was very freeing to start to declutter.

[Ima saver]

Yes, I read the meter everyday to see if I can keep it at or below 50kph per day. That is about the amount I budget for. I find I don't wash clothes or run the a/c as much. Any amount I keep it under my budget ($160 inc. tax) I add to my challenge money. (I also keep the hot water meter turned off)

[PRICEPLUS]

I have found that things I need I have.

[rusty@saving]

my priorities have changed...it is hard to explain, but i just love day to day, try to be happy with what i have, and the hell with the Joneses!LOL!!

[tgavin71]

Originally Posted by rusty@saving

my priorities have changed...it is hard to explain, but i just love day to day, try to be happy with what i have, and the hell with the Joneses!LOL!!

well said

[getforfree]

Whatever I am using, buying or spending money on, makes me think twice if I should use/buy it. I know that 5-min shower costs me about 10c including an extra towel in my laundry, I take faster showers or skip it at all, and reuse the towel a few times. I always think about things in therms of money. Maybe I am too addicted to savings.

[Bookie]

I've made a conscious commitment to simplifying my life in many ways.

• Eliminiating clutter, unneeded duplication, the extraneous, and the excessive
• Reorganize my finances to promote electronic banking and bill pay
• Consolidated and streamlined my wardrobe choices.
• Established a brief set of easy, simple menus for which I can shop and stock efficiently.
• Reduced social contacts and commitments that were neither rewarding nor cost-effective
• Become more conscious of how I spend my time and energies.

In sum, I'd say I'm living more consciously and deliberately.

[sarah4554]

I am careful not to over consume. If I want something I try to see why I want it. Does my family have a need for it or do I just want it to ie; keep up with the Jones, feel better, I am bored, think it will make my life happier.

Everything especially food has a value. I am careful what types of food I buy, what types of food I cook, and to not eat excessively. I budget for normal eating if I decided to pig out one day that takes away from food available for later on in the week.

I try to stay organized so that I do not buy duplicate of things, I also organize my coupons, and my finances.

I try to manage my time so that I am most efficient. The more efficient I am the greater my earning potential.

I am conscious of energy usage and the amount of trash we produce as a family. I try to recycle as much as I can. (Not only traditional recycling but also finding household uses for items that normally would be thrown away.)

I try to find friends that are like minded with similiar family situations. I like to barter clothes, food, babysitting time, magazines, and toys with my friends.

[tgavin71]

The most significant aspect of our lives has been a change of friends. Prior to simplifying our lives we associated with what we thought were friends. Turns out that our friendships were sustained by going out to pubs, clubs, restaurants and shopping. ONce we elimated these the friendships all but died out. We would easy spend $100 on a night out for the two of us.
Now the friends we have are on the same wave length and we do frugal pastimes together.

[Snoopy2645]

I have changed also in that I try to find free things to do not stuff that cost money!!! I dont go out on the town much with friends anymore maybe one time a year!! I think I have started working again since I found this board. I went from sahm to working pt to next month ft so I have found ways to help with families finances without much changing for the family

[Ima saver]

I am really trying hard not to buy anything from the grocery store unless it is on sale. That does not always work, but I keep a list in my purse of things I will only buy when they are on sale.

[Broken Arrow]

I went through a very messy divorce where I felt like I was the miserly bad guy who didn't want other people (namely my ex) to be happy. For a while, I felt isolated and guilty.

After meeting you guys here, especially hearing from so many women with a similar financial mindset as mine, I didn't feel as bad. It was like, "Look! There are women who thinks frugality is a good idea!"

So, being in a supportive environment has really helped me cope, and for that, I thank you all.